Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 15:20 & 28 (ESV)

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. … But he was angry and refused to go in.

Worship Folder | Fill-in Outline

Intro: This parable attacks our misconceptions about God …

HE IS A GOOD FATHER
How can we see the goodness of the father in this story?

HE IS AN OFFENDED FATHER
How has he been profoundly insulted - by each son?

YET HE GOES OUT TO HIS SONS
What is so radical about how the father goes out to each son? He wants sons, not slaves.

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US ...

1. Worship the LORD for His lavish generosity and grace! Praise and adore Him for how He does what no one else does – in Christ He loves and searches and recovers those who have hated Him!

2. How have you lived believing you could only have a relationship with God if you earn it (or you believed you have earned it)? Confess your pride to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you for your presumption.

3. Give thanks to the Father for His willingness to come alongside us to invite us into His gracious household. Give thanks to Jesus for being our true elder brother, leaving home to search us out until He finds us and brings us home.

4. Who do you know that is simply lost? Pray for them, asking Jesus to seek and save them too.

5. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you repent of your self-righteousness and pride. Pray for renewal in your heart that you would join Jesus in His work of seeking those who are lost.

Looking Back

The Facilitator is a study tool designed to help you engage with the weekly sermon through the five elements we incorporate in our Community Groups; Get Acquainted & Sharing, Sermon Study, Mission, Worship and Prayer. This tool will be made available Monday morning to give us the opportunity to look back at what we heard on Sunday.